Healthy & Happy Pets

Money’s no object
Would you spend as much as necessary to keep your animal companion healthy and happy? If you answered “yes,” you’re not alone. A recent survey of Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) policyholders and other animal guardians who visited the company’s website revealed that 70% would pay any amount to save their furry friend’s life.

VPI also released a list of the top ten conditions that people made claims for in 2005 (1 to 10):

Dogs:

Skin allergies
Ear infections
Stomach upsets
Bladder infections
Benign tumors
Osteoarthritis
Sprains
Eye infections
Enteritis
Hypothyroidism

Cats:

Urinary tract infections
Stomach upsets
Kidney disease
Skin allergies
Respiratory infections
Diabetes
Ear infections
Colitis
Eye infections
Wound infections

Atlanta is going to the dogs…
disc-catching dogs that is! On September 23-24, 10 am-5 pm, at Piedmont Park’s 10th Street Meadow in Atlanta, Georgia, man’s best friend will take to the skies to compete in the 2006 Hyperflite Skyhoundz Canine Disc World Championship. The Hyperflite World Championship is the premier event in canine sports and features top competition teams from around the world. Contestants and their canine teammates will earn points for tricks ranging from simple throws to unbelievable acrobatics. Admission to the World Championship is free for spectators. For more details visit Hyperflite's website: www.hyperflite.com

Protecting police service animals
Animal lovers everywhere were outraged when a police horse named Brigadier was deliberately struck and fatally injured by a hit-and-run driver in Toronto last February. The driver was arrested and charged with Dangerous Operation of a Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm, and Failure to Stop at the Scene of an Accident, but because there is no reference to police horses, dogs and other service animals in the Criminal Code of Canada, no additional charges were laid. The newly proposed Brigadier’s Law would amend the Criminal Code by giving protection to police service animals; to learn more, or to sign a petition in support of the new law, visit www.torontohumanesociety.com.

Law would regulate bad breeding practices
The Humane Society of the United States Northern Rockies Regional Office and the Idaho Humane Society (IHS) recently seized over 300 cats kept in deplorable conditions at the Rocky Mountain Cat Resort, a large breeding facility in Twin Falls, Idaho. The Humane Societies continue to provide care and support for the rescued cats, which will eventually be adopted out to new homes. Under current laws, unethical breeders are exempt from USDA licensing and regulation, but the recently introduced Pet Animal Welfare Statute would help alleviate animal suffering by changing the legislation. It would require USDA coverage of commercial breeders who sell six or more litters of puppies or kittens directly to the public per year, and would also require the facilities to undergo regular inspections. Find out more at www.hsus.org.


Rover takes priority
If you were ordered to evacuate your home but leave your animal behind, what would you do? If you’re like 62% of the population, according to a survey conducted by the American Kennel Club, you’d defy the orders and stay behind with your companion. Here are some more stats revealed by the poll:
97% would take their animals with them in case of evacuation
61% have an evacuation plan in place for their animals
23% designed an emergency plan for their companions after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
(check out the article on how to prepare for a disaster in this issue)


Info Courtesy Animal Wellness Magazine

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